Inwood Care Home, Horbury 25th May, 2025.

by Phil Barr. photos and Video Phil Barr

Tea Break

Little did we know that our leader is also a Time Lord when he performed Why Does It Always Rain On Me on Tuesday evening while the rest of us mere mortals were only wishing it would rain on our parched gardens but rain it finally did last night and so members of the band arrived at Inwood free at last from the Saharan dust which had built up in unwanted crevices over the last few weeks. 

  Those who have played there will know how sardines feel in a tight space but to help us set up away from the already crowded lounge we were at least grateful to be led into the adjoining dining room which made things marginally easier. Even so space was at a premium as we transferred to the lounge which was packed with residents, zimmer frames and support staff. 

   Not surprisingly, David’s stand went flying at one point and mine survived a couple of hairy moments when Dave Flatter’s elbow nudged against it and this in an already stifling room.  But Wakeylele are made of stern stuff and so David opened proceedings with a very well deserved Happy Birthday to a resident named Peter who has reached the advanced age of 98.

Then it was on with the first set which included solos from Chris – Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour… and, (see videos) Roy doing Putting On The Style, both of which went down a treat as did the band numbers Daydream Believer and Green Door, with David demonstrating a scaled back version of Frankie Vaughan’s trademark leg kick to preserve his knee.

   An essential comfort break soon followed with the band retreating to the cafe area where tasty cakes were waiting along with tea and coffee making facilities. Meanwhile Linda was doubling as a toilet security attendant to guard against unnecessary exposure.

    The second half resumed with the always popular Heman’s Hermits number with a young care worker bopping along with a lively resident and soon it was time for Willie Nelson with David informing the audience that On The Road Again was actually written on a plane and on the back of a sick bag – unused I presume. David then put on his ‘Bob’ hat to further entertain the rapt gathering although I have to confess at this point that due to human error my phone failed to capture this cameo as it did Pop’s comedy song about a Grandma. It did however, unbeknown to me, record some entertaining noises off and all of Singin’ The Blues so at least I now know that my uke was in tune with those nearby, that our whistling was not amiss and the overall sound was okay (see / hear ‘black’ video.) 

Before we knew it, the trimmed set, which was requested to cater for the needs of the residents was almost at an end and apart from David having to hunt for the diaphragm of his kazoo which fell apart through over – excitement, it only remained for us to round things off with a Zing and so another success could be added to Wakeylele’s growing list, not least because several residents told us how much they had enjoyed the music as we prepared to leave. Indeed, a lady sitting within a ukulele length of our corner told me that 1934, the year that David had just mentioned was the time when Zing was written was also the year that she was born. She then told me that she had on many occasions listened to her musician brother who was a trumpet and cornet player with the Grenadier Guards and poignantly she added that she had shed a tear when we played Leaning on a Lamp as it was her late husband’s favourite song. 

   Thanks once more to David and everyone who contributed to an enjoyable afternoon.

    The next gig for those available is only a week away at the plush venue of WhItaker Grange at Ossett.